‘There will always be a need’

Souls Harbour Rescue Mission hosts turkey dinner to ring in the new year

Turkey, stuffing, cheesecake.

Simple pleasures for most, rare delicacies for those less fortunate.

The Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Halifax hosted a turkey dinner to ring in 2014 on December 31 for the city’s poor.

Michelle Porter, Executive Director of Souls Harbour said it’s important to always keep those less fortunate at top of mind, even as a new year begins.

“It’s important having it today, on New Year’s Eve, because there is still a need, it’s a great way to celebrate a new year in an inner-city community,” Porter said.

As temperatures plummet and power bills rise, it becomes hard for Halifax’s poorest to survive.

Sometimes they rely on shelters or missions like Souls Harbour for nourishment.

“If there are people who are cold and on the streets, with a full stomach, they are less likely to be at risk at night,” she said. “Halifax does a pretty good job with shelters and we have the Out of the Cold Shelter that specifically houses extra people in winter. There’s no reason for someone to sleep on the streets tonight.”

The evening temperature on Dec. 31 was -23 degrees Celsius with the wind-chill.

Porter said she was extremely impressed by the support they’ve received from the community, both in terms of food and financial donations.

“I was really surprised how many people came together to make this possible,” she said. “This has been the most popular event that we’ve ever run.”

Guests were given a three-course meal including Uruguayan soup, turkey with all the trimmings and cheesecake free of charge.

“I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and it really is a vocational calling for me to help people in cities, my husband and I have worked in Kamloops, Winnipeg, Regina and Prince George,” Porter said. “Now we’re in Halifax to help people in need in our own country.”

“There will always be a need, but that doesn’t mean we’ll ever stop,” she said.

Alanna Hurd arrived from Prospect to help out with the dinner.

“My friend came in to volunteer and I asked if I could come with them,” Hurd said. “Around this time of year, not everyone has as much as others do. It’s hard to get food, let alone presents for some people. It’s just a good way to help out a community.”

“This is my first time here,” she said. “I’m just thankful that people less fortunate get to enjoy a hot meal.”

Elizabeth Nicholson finished off her plate with a smile on her face.

“The meal is beautiful, it was just lovely,” Nicholson said. “I didn’t have a favourite part, all of it was good.”

The mission provides food for those in need every day, usually serving 100 people.

“This is a wonderful place,” she said. “There’s a lot of people who just don’t have the money and some of them aren’t working, some are on the street, they don’t even a place to stay, so it’s nice they have this for them.”

Nicholson said she was at the mission last year when she was in need of a meal.